Share and Voice: Award!

Hey Bloggers, I just received an award from Sara H for my post on my Share and Voice on the ESG Highway Cleanup!. Thank you very much Sara! I am passing my award onto Katie Kares for the Environment for her share and voice about Fast Food Nation. I think you had a lot of statistics which made it a very interesting post and also gave us an inside look on the business of fast foods.. Great Job... Follow the Award instructions below to pass on the award!!

1. Leave a comment below so that I know you "picked up" the award.
2. Create a Share and Voice post that says you've received the award and indicate who the award is from (be sure to hyperlink).
3. Also indicate to whom you are going to pass on the award and why. Be sure to hyperlink the blogger (use main blog URL) and the blog title (use the specific URL for that blog post).
4. Copy and paste these instructions at the bottom of your post.
5. Publish the post.
6. Visit each blogger you've awarded and leave a comment telling them they've won.
7. Continue the process...

Share and Voice: Highway Cleanup

Hey bloggers! Well, this is going to be my proudest share and voice yet! I am currently a member of Eta Sigma Gamma which is a national professional honorary for men and women in health education in case you didn't know. We had the opportunity to participate in the highway cleanup the other day. It was a very interesting experience to say the least. I was suprised to see how many animal bones we had found throughout the cleanup. We found a large group of deer bodies along with a dead duck and skunk. I'm not going to lie, I got scared a couple times as I grabbed for a piece of garbage and saw a dead animal right in front of me. Haha!! I'm sure people in a 1 mile radius could've heard me scream! and Here are some of the pictures....











I thought this was a very great activity for us to do since we're learning about the environment around us so much in this course. I feel like everyone should take part in cleaning up highways and other areas in their community to improve the appearance and well being.

Share and Voice: Tips for Going Green

Hey Bloggers! Since this school year is soon to be over, many of you are probably considering moving to another house or apartment. It can be quite a stressful event going through all your "junk." I have become a huge pack rat this last year since I have an interest in refurbishing my old junk and making into something useful. Spring cleaning is one of the most irritating things to do especially in a house of 6 people (my house). We all are planning on working as a team to get the job done. That's when I realized all the alternatives you can use instead of using harmful chemicals.


Home cleaning supplies
Baking soda and hot water can get your house sparkling clean at an affordable price. The chemicals in something such as Windex glass cleaner are very harmful to your respiratory system when breathed in. It's a better idea to use cloth material to clean verses paper towels as well.When going through things such as magazines and clothes, there are many alternatives to dealing with them. You can recycle, donate, sell, or reuse them instead of throwing them away.

Click on PLANETGREEN to get more tips around the house! This website is amazing and offers other alternatives for topics such as: Ways to green your fridge, keeping paper towels out of your house, how to go green spring break, eating green, and also offer news articles about people going green. I really like this website and plan on looking at it on a regular basis to improve my ability to go green!

Share and Voice: Super One Foods

Hey Everyone! I'd like to take this time to thank Dr.V and SuperOne Foods for getting us these awesome new bags. I've always wanted one, but never got around to getting it. I have definitely used it since we've received them. Thanks again!!!

Share and Voice: Disney's Earth

Hey bloggers!! You may have seen commercials advertising the new Disney movie Earth which just came out this month. The movie shows the challenges and experiences animals face on Earth. It shows how they raise their young, deal with predators, and adjust to the changes people are making to their environment. Check out this link to see the movie trailer. You'll fall in love with the animals presented in this clip. I sure did!!





After each ticket is sold, Disney has agreed to plant a tree in your honor! I think this movie also will get a better insight as to how they affect the environment around us. It's not just affecting people, it's affecting the animals, plants, and natural resources around us.

Share and Voice: Jon and Kate Plus Eight Go Green

If you haven't had the experience to watch the television show Jon and Kate Plus 8, this share and voice may interest you to see what it's all about. I found this show to be very addicting to watch. It combines humor and education while juggling a family of 8 kids. They all work as a team to make it all possible.


To see the Jon and Kate Plus Eight Music Video about Going Green click here

Make sure you see the episode on April 19, 2009 about the family going the extra mile to go green. This family goes to show, no matter what the size, you can still recycle, buy organic foods, and reduce the amount of chemicals used.

Share and Voice: Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Hey Bloggers! Have any of you ever watched the show Extreme Makeover Home Edition on television? If you haven't, I highly suggest it. I have learned to love this show by seeing the differences people have made for others. One of the episodes that stuck out to me was a story about the Miller family.

The New House>>

The part that caught my interest was that this family took a risk creating this environmentally friendly home. Their home was partially underground to save money for insulation. Little did they know that gases were being trapped in the house and not able to escape. "It was discovered that the Millers were being poisoned by Radon, a cancer causing gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless. The level of Radon gas in their home is the toxic equivalent of four people smoking 12 cigarettes a day. The Millers' respiratory illnesses could turn into lung cancer if the Radon continues to invade their home. Although the family had taken some steps to eliminate the toxins, not all have been removed. They've been told that they need to re-build their home, which is something that the Millers cannot afford."
Ty and the crew built them an amazing home which they began their new life. I always become emotional when I watch this show because it shows the devastation families are experiencing with little help and resources. Extreme Makeover Home Edition have also made strides in creating more efficient homes for these struggling families. Since radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless, people are unaware that these gases exist in homes. Check out the chart below!

If you have any further questions regarding Radon, I have a couple links below. Inspectors are here to help you if you want your house inspected. Primary resources such as radon monitors are available as well.




What do you have to lose besides your health?
Radon FAQ
Radon Testing
Radon Inspectors

Share and Voice: The Old Man and the Storm

Hey everyone! For those of you who did not attend "The Old Man and the Storm," I'll fill all you in on what you missed. When I heard about this opportunity I was looking forward to it since I overlooked it in the past.
Hurricane Katrina has caused tramatic effects on the New Orlean's population. Many people lost their homes, possessions, memories, and even families. Herbert Gettridge is a 82 year old man who had been tragically affected by Hurrican Katrina. He had lost his home and was separated from his family (7 children, 36 grandchildren, and great grandchildren). He spent day after day cleaning up the wreckage the storm had caused. Herbert continually says he'll never leave even if the government comes after him. He worked too hard to leave it. Herbert's wife of 65 years was living in Madison, WI while he was fixing the house. She dreamed of returning to New Orleans even if it was crucial to her health. Herbert said even the little things he lost made a huge difference. Seeing the grass grow in the front yard and the children playing in the streets was missing. It's almost as if the life of New Orleans died.


You can see the sadness in his eyes the entire movie. He was sick of waiting for the government to intervene and help the people of the community. Herbert did not give up. He had a dream to finish the house in order to reunite his family. Herbert worked for months on his own with no shelter or electricity. After months of working on the house, he began to see results. His wife was able to return home. She was overwhelmed and sadened with what she saw.

The images in this video were breathtaking. I could not believe how much damage the storm created. Seeing the ruined schools, churches, and homes broke my heart. All the memories were destroyed with the storm and appeared like an abandoned graveyard. Many people reflected how they got married, attained jobs, and raised a family in the old New Orleans. I couldn't even imagine losing everything the way these individuals have. Mardi Gras was not the same after Hurricane Katrina. People paraded around, but it did not have the same energy it had in the past.

Politics:
Many of the citizens of New Orleans felt that the government did not care about what the conditions they were dealing with. Herbert stated that the insurance he had on the houses did not cover very much of the damages that had been made to his home. Herberts son Leonard was dealing with the same types of issues. The "Road Home Program is designed to provide compensation to Louisiana homeowners affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita for the damage to their homes. The program affords eligible homeowners up to $150,000 in compensation for their losses to get back into their homes." FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) apparently did not know the extent of hte number of homes destroyed. Then it made me wonder what would've happened if Hurricane Katrina had occured in an area with low poverty and highly educated individuals. Kathy mentioned a very interesting statement about environmental racism that we discussed in class. What if we dealt with a disaster similar to New Orleans'? If Duluth had a crisis situation happen to the whole community, how would we handle it? I'm guessing that West Duluth would be having a rougher time recovering due to the populations and conditions. East Duluth would have the advantage over the West due to education and lack of poverty. That's why I feel like Hurrican Katrina has been such a debatable topic. It has been 3 1/2 years since the storm, and the city is still under water. If it was in a more socioeconomical location, they would've recieved the aid needed and have made a lot more progress.

Shocking Facts:
500,000 families were displaced during Hurricane Katrina
200,000 homes were ruined
600 congregations were destroyed
After Hurricane Katrina: suicide rates tripled, drinking rates increased, and depression overtook the community
50% of New Orleans suffered from mental disorders of some kind after the tragedy

What can you do?
After watching this video I really reflected on my own life. I feel like a spoiled brat for even feeling sorry for myself about anything. I am blessed with an amazing family, friends, education, and future. I hope that everyone really evaluates themselves by looking at those less fortunate and really take action to help these people. I plan on traveling to New Orleans in the future during spring break to help rebuild the city with a team. I feel like it's what I'm meant to do. I think it will be a very humbling positive experience. If you haven't seen this video I would really recomment you to do so.



****Hurricane Katrina Volunteer Opportunities: (Click here)

****More Volunteer Opportunities:(click here)

Share and Voice: Are You Polluting Your Home?

Do any of you use candles, reed diffusers, or candle warmers? Well, I do and thought it would be interesting to know which of these would be less damaging to oneself. What I found is that they all are harmful. I started buying reed diffusers since burning candles produces smoke causing me to get headaches and candle warmers need to be plugged in for hours before they take effect. I found a website called Azsustainability which informed me of the dangers of these products and gave tips of what other methods are effective.

Alternatives:

#1 Boil aromatic botanicals on the stove. Boiling citrus peels offer a fresh scent!
#2 Heat essential oils or pure food grade extracts in boiling/simmering water on the stove. Many flavors are available for your preference.
#3 Get a tea light or electric diffuser to warm and distribute essential oils or food extracts.
#4 Make your own “solar” aromatherapy diffuser by putting some water and essential oils or food extracts in a glass in a sunny window.
#5 Look for essential oil based products - Aura Cacia has some great plug in essential oil based products available at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and probably several other health food stores.
#6 If you want to neutralize odors leave a bowl of vinegar in the middle of the room for an hour or so. Try cleaning your surfaces with vinegar to help reduce odors all over.
#7 Open your windows! It's almost summer time! Allow the fresh air inside your house. Circulation is critical for airing out your home.

The alternative I thought was the most interesting is the solar reed diffuser. I think this is a great solution for keeping your home smelling fresh without polluting harmful chemicals.

Christen's Thoughts:
I really enjoyed researching this topic since I use many reed diffusers throughout my house. I am interested in the solar reed diffuser, but will probably continue using the reed diffusers that I have been using. They smell amazing, but I am open to trying other techniques as well. I hope you found this share and voice interesting. Remember, GO GREEN!

Share and Voice: Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Hey everyone! I was watching T.V the other night and came across this documentary on sea turtles. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is an organization that protects sea turtles based on their injuries. "Every year 100,000 sea animals are killed due to plastics in our oceans. Humans are directly affecting the lives of thousands of sea animals by inaccurately disposing of plastic and other ocean litter."(Sea Turtle Restoration Project).
Many sea turtles are injured due to fishing practices, pollution, and even light pollution. Improper outdoor lighting is one of the biggest problems affecting sea turtles. To get a better look, check out this link to see the youtube video where they show a rescued turtle being released back out into the wild. It's a very inspirational thing to see.

Interesting Facts:
When sea turtles consume the plastic bags, they often get lodged in their stomachs making it seem like they are not hungry, and eventually causing them to die of starvation. Sea turtles also get caught in plastic floating in the ocean causing them to drown. What is it going to take for people to quit littering in the ocean? Littering can also cause infection on sea creatures since plastics that are littered carry pathogens that affect sea turtles.

"Through sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education programs, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will increase awareness of habitat and wildlife conservation challenges, promote responsibility for ecosystem health and empower individuals to act locally, regionally, and globally to protect the environment."

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center also allows you to become a member or their organization and offer helping hands. I think that it would be an honor to help out these magnificent creatures that are near extinction. Hopefully we eliminate these problems before it's too late for these sea turtles.

Share and Voice: Earthsave

Hey Bloggers! I found a really neat sight that I wanted to share with you all! After watching the movie Diet for America, I noticed a website at the end called Earthsave. I looked this up in curiosity and found some really neat information. It offers tips improving your lifestyle choices in regards to the environment around you. Here are a few of the links I found interesting, hope you enjoy them!

The Wild Vegetarian Cookbook showed a variety of recipes and cooking methods to cooking a vegetarian diet. Some of these recipes sound pretty tasty to me.

The Factory farm alert was another interesting site that showed how animal factories are laying wastes to our environment and to public health. Pfiesteria is something that really caught my eye after reading this article. Something I found interesting is that Al Gore has been involved for federal help in dealing with pfiesteria problems.

The last article I checked out was called “How our food choices can help save the environment.” It basically talked about beef and all the harmful factors that go along with it. I hope you find this table interesting. I found it on the website and thought it would give you better insight

By not eating beef– and other farm animals as well–you:
•Save massive amounts of water – 3,000 to 5,000 gallons of water for every pound of beef you avoid,
•Avoid polluting our streams and rivers better than any other single recycling effort you do,
•Avoid the destruction of topsoil,
•Avoid the destruction of tropical forest,
•Avoid the production of carbon dioxide. (Your average car produces 3 kg/day of CO2. To clear rainforest to produce beef for one hamburger produces 75 kg of CO2. Eating one pound of hamburger does the same damage as driving your car for more than three weeks);
•Reduce the amount of methane gas produced. (I imagine the next bumper sticker: stop farts, don’t eat beef);
•Reduce the destruction of wildlife habitat, and
•Help to save endangered species.

Share and Voice: Tips for UMD

OK, not to sound like a computer nerd, but blogging has become an addiction for me this semester. I find myself checking it at least 5 times throughout the day which explains a lot. I've actually paid lot more attention to the environment around me and what I can do to make my surroundings better.

That's why my story leads to me to the gym at UMD. I was working out yesterday and realized how full the garbage was. It was filled to the brim with used paper towels from individuals who cleaned their machines. After doing some research, I found out that an average of 30,000 people's cards are swiped each month at UMD's gym. What? That's a crazy amount, not to mention how many rolls of paper towels are used each month. There must be a simpler way to clean the machines without using this large amount of paper towels.

I think that UMD should have people bring their own towels to clean the machines after each use. It would save the school a lot of money and resources. What do you think? Please get back to me and let me know what you think about my proposal. Even little changes make a big difference!

Share and Voice: ENVIRO-cool Blog Award Winner

Hey everyone, so I have recently received an award from Lauren for my post on fireworks. Thank you so much Lauren, I really appreciate it and am glad that you enjoyed it. It doesn't stop there, no I have the chance to pass on the award. This is a tough one since everyone's blogs are starting to come together. It's a tough choice but a blog that has continually caught my eye belongs to.......Kaileigh @ Kaileigh's Nature Log!!!!! I love her usage of color in each post and really enjoy her share and voices. One that particularly caught my eye was her most recent post on "Shutting Down Earth for an Hour.".

Another reason why I chose Kaileigh's blog as the winner is because she goes above and beyond with her information. I can tell she's working very hard in perfecting her blog. It looks great and I am proud to present you the reward.

I would like you to keep this award moving along by passing it on to someone else's blog that you enjoy!! The instructions are below, Congratulations and keep up the good work!


Award Instructions
1. Leave a comment below so that I know you "picked up" the award.
2. Create a Share and Voice post that says you've received the award and indicate who the award is from (be sure to hyperlink).
3. Also indicate to whom you are going to pass on the award and why. Be sure to hyperlink the blogger (use main blog URL) and the blog title (use the specific URL for that blog post).
4. Copy and paste these instructions at the bottom of your post.
5. Publish the post.
6. Visit each blogger you've awarded and leave a comment telling them they've won.
7. Continue the process...

Share and Voice: Fireworks

Are Fireworks Really Dangerous?
On various occasions such as 4th of July and New Years, fireworks have been a continuing trend for many decades. I doubt anyone even considers that these fireworks have a negative impact on the environment. Fireworks include many harmful chemicals that affect the environment. Some of these chemicals include: Zinc, Titanium, Strontium, Sulfur, Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Oxygen, Magnesium, Lithium, Iron, Copper, Chlorine, Carbon, Calcium, Barium, Antimony, and Aluminum. These chemicals are released through the smoke of the fireworks.

Noise Pollution:
Noise pollution is another factor when dealing with fireworks. People with sensitive hearing are affected by the loud noises that go along with fireworks. It also startles animals in the surrounding area.

Water Pollution:
Fireworks fallout can contaminate water supplies and residue on the ground can be carried away by rain and end up in our lakes, rivers, or oceans. Fish and other animals tend to eat what they see in the water even if it's contaminants. I heard of a story of someone who lit fireworks and threw them in the water. Fish immediately swam to the lit firework and ate it causing the fish to explode. Fines were later given to the individuals were involved.

Air Pollution:
Smoke from fireworks combustion may contain a mixture of sulfur-coal compounds, traces of heavy metals, and other toxic chemicals or gases. The picture shown above represents the chemical combination used to form fireworks. These chemicals are floating in the air causing us to breathe in these chemicals.

Hopefully this year when you're celebrating holidays, you think twice about what you're doing to the environment before you purchase fireworks.

For more information on alternatives, what each chemical represents, and more, check out these links! http://chemistry.about.com/b/2008/06/06/elements-in-fireworks.htm
http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/9200/toxic_fireworks.html

Share and Voice: Steve's Photo Challenge

I felt like this photograph represents the goal we should all be striving for. It shows that if we work together as a team, we can make a difference. I think even the smallest changes we make in our every day lives such as recycling can make the biggest change in the long run. Teamwork is key as we save our planet. I thought that Steve's challenge was a very good idea for us to research. Go Green!

Share and Voice: National Teach-in on Global Warming

This Youtube video, National Teach-in on Global Warming,shows us a preview of how we can make a difference in our world. It explains the actions we need to take in order to upkeep our environment. I didn't realize that our carbon dioxide is as high as it indicates. We are the generation who can really make the difference! Little changes as simple as recycling can really make a huge difference if we all come together and work as a team.

Welcome to Christens Environmental Health

Hello everyone! I am glad you are interested in my blog. I am going to discuss what I've learned in Environmental Health this semester and also show you neat features and activities that you may take part in. Have fun and post a comment if you wish!

There are 5 possible types of posts on my blog. They include:
1. Advocacy Project
2. Eye Openers
3. Reflections
4. Reviews
5. Share and Voice

If you notice at the bottom of this post, the categories will be listed as labels. This post has been labeled with all five kinds of posts. You will also see the number of each kind of post in my Labels Gadget at the top of the page. All post titles from now on will begin with one of the categories above.


The members of my web group are (group 1):

*Steve@ Steve Goes Green
*Heather@ Heather's Healthy Environment
*Kaileigh@ Kaileigh's Nature Log
*Kathy@ Choh's Changing Environment
*Shar@ Shar's Virtual Environment


You can subscribe to my blog by clicking the subscribe gadget in the gadget column. You can also follow my blog by clicking "Follow this Blog" in the gadget column. I am subscribed to all the blogs in my blog list gadget. You can see my complete profile and all the blogs I am following by clicking on "See Complete Profile."

I hope that you enjoy my blog. Feel free to leave comments, advice, or ideas. Have a great day!

The Five Possible Types of Posts:

The 5 Posts:

1. Advocacy Project
2. Eye Openers
3. Reflections
4. Reviews
5. Share and Voice